AQUATICS

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVIII, Issue 1034, 30 December 1909, Page 13

AQUATICS

WANGANUI FIRST-CLASS HANDICAP.

(From our Wanganui Correspondent). The appearance of the handicaps for the Wanganui Sculling Handicap, to be held on the 6th and Bth January, has given rise to much discussion. On all hands it is conceded that the handicap is a good one, and that the winner is hard to pick. It was generally expected '.that Webb would receive about five seconds start from R. Arnst, but the fact that the Wanganui man has been given but three seconds from the world’s champion shows that Mr. J. Blackman, of Sydney, who framed the handicap, has a very big opinion of Webb’s ability as a sculler. Providing Webb is able to reproduce his very best form on the day he will very nearly win, but so far he has failed to show the brilliancy expected of him this season, though he is now shaping better, and will probably improve a deal during the next two weeks. He was nearly ten pounds below his proper weight at Foxton, but is now picking up again and should strip at about 11.0 on the day, at which he may be depended upon to put up a big struggle. The Australian scullers have been hard at work during the time they have been here, and they are all very well. They unite in saying that the Wanganui Handicap should be one of the greatest events of its kind ever decided, and they predict that some most exciting racing will be witnessed before the winner is known. At present, Felton, Hagney, and Webb are the favourite picks for the event. It is hoped that the weather is fine for the regatta, in which case there should be a large attendance. Should this race prove a success, the Wanganui Licensed Victuallers’ Association, which is finding the stake money, will put on another similar race next year, also a race for second class scullers (New Zealanders only).

The challenge issued by Hagney to row Webb for £2OO aside on the Manawatu River created a bit of a stir in local rowing circles, albeit the general opinion appeared to be that Hagney is flying rather high. However, Webb had previously announced that he meant to take a spell after the Wanganui Handicap, as he wishes to devote his time to his boat building business. It may be though, that if he shows anything like his very best form during the handicap he may be induced to take on Hagney, but this he is not likely to do if he thinks it will entail much loss of time in training. He would have no difficulty in getting the necessary backing if he said the word.

The boisterous weather experienced during the Christmas holidays prevented yachtsmen and motor boat enthusiasts from enjoying a few days’ cruising on the Waitemata, the boats which ventured out in the gale being few and far between. The big regatta, fixed to take place at Awaroa Bay, Waiheke, on Boxing Day, had to be postponed on account of rough weather, and will now be held on New Year’s Day.

' There seems a probability of Dick Arnst rowing against Durnan, the Canadian sculler, at Toronto, the former having received a communication in regard to a match.

Hagney, the New South Wales sculler who was third in the Foxton handicap, has challenged Webb to race for £2OO a-side, the winner to take the lot. Hagney stipulates that the race shall be rowed on the Manawatu River as soon as Webb likes, Webb to have choice of distance, though the championship distance is preferred.

The Australian interstate eight-oar races is to be rowed in Tasmania on April 30 next year. The Tasmanian bodies, representing North and South, will row a test race on March 19. Besides selecting their representative crew from these two crews, the race will also decide whether the race will be rowed at Launceston or Hobart.

The handicaps for the big sculling handicap, which is to be decided at Wanganui on January 6-8 have been decided by Mr. J. Blackman, of Sydney, and are as follows:—Richard Arnst, to allow W. Webb 3sec; G. Whelch, 9; F. S. Hagney, 13; J. Mitchell, 16; A. D. Felton, 16; S. A. Kemp, 18; Robert Green, 20; E. Larsen, 23; Richard Green, 25. The first prize is £lOO, second £5O, and third £25. Prizes of £l5 and £lO are to' be given for a race between men

beaten in the trial heats. With the exception of the first three—who are New Zealanders—the competitors are from New South Wales.

There are to be nine events on the programme in connection with the forthcoming New Zealand amateur championship meeting to be held at Wanganui on January 6-8, the principal being the championship events for which prizes are allotted as follows: —Fours, £4O and five gold medals; Pairs and Double Sculls, £l5 each; Single Sculls, £lO. Other events comprise Maiden, Youths’, and Junior Fours, Marlborough Plate (not open to winners of champion fours), and Junior Pairs.

In furtherance of the movement on foot in England to erect a memorial statute at Dover in recognition of Captain Webb’s brilliant achievement of many years ago of swimming the English Channel, the Council of the New Zealand Swimming Association has donated £2 2s to the fund, and at the same time decided to seek further financial support from the various affiliated centres.